BANA

BANA is the pop princess of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan’s capital of culture. BANA entered TV singing competition Kurd Idol aged just 16. As the only contestant singing in English, Bana’s televised performances were an overnight success, quickly pulling her into the Kurdish music industry where she wrote and released Kurdish music for five years, including her debut album Diway Salêk.

Now the boundary-pushing pop artist is bridging her Kurdish heritage with contemporary global sounds. Diving into English spoken music across her forthcoming single releases, BANA weaves elements of Kurdish music, complex melody, local instruments and heavy beats, with a maximalist popstar sheen. Her latest releases signals an artist in full evolution. Combining rich musicality, emotional storytelling and global ambition.

With both her Kurdish debut album and her forthcoming English tracks, BANA's drive, optimism and vocal ability shine through. “I want to make a difference in my country and to be an example for young Kurdish girls,” she declares. “Whatever their dream is, I want to be an example. I exist and you can too.”